You could offend a hundread people and still make it sound like a compliment with the way you talk. Your voice is just cherry on top

This video perfectly expresses the different feelings I get when dying in different games. "Dang, let me try again" vs "Well that was lame" is hard to pinpoint why I feel one vs the other.

The golden fowl made me howl with laughter. Yahtzee has conditioned me to expect that gag at face value, so shout out to Frost and the editor for the sheer hilarity.

This series has immediately joined my must-watch set of subscriptions.

'The Fragrance of Dark Coffee' , such a great tune. I'm slowly playing through the Ace Attorney trilogy on Xbox, and always let the game linger when Godot's theme comes in.

"Failure. No, not you." God damn it, hurt me more frost!

Really like the style and flair of this new series, the noiresque vibe of this one was a great idea. Also the substance is really strong analysis. Great job frost, look forward to more of this series at the escapist!

“Conversationalist” at the end killed me 🤣

What made me click so much with DS was when I go awol for 2 months, my friends jokingly asking me if I have gone hollow. Suddenly it rains on me even their death & failure mechanic was philosophycal designed in Dark Souls and so integral to the game itself. There is no alternate time line, we all playing in our own linear time line when we fail the game the moment we stopped playing, and thus gone hollow just like our own characters in game. Very rarely (if any) modern games even bother to design something so fundamental to playing as a video game character yet the impact of it is so profound to immersion and suspension of beliefs that we're playing a video game.

Noir and ludonarrative dissonance go hand in hand. I know a lot of the Escapist staff doesn't quite have the time for Dwarf Fortress, but it might pique your interest to hear that in the official Dwarf Fortress wiki, losing redirects to fun.

I don't know how he manages it, but this gem of a human being is simultaneously one cool cat and one sly dog.

Yahtzee said in his Extra Punctuation on "Prey" that our memories can't grasp perfection, so the perfect game becomes un-memorable, like how nobody noticed his class' best student until he ended up with a prosthetic testicle from a soccer injury.

I need a three-way-show/podcast between Marty, Yathzee and Frost, that sounds like a fun listen

One area of failure I had to deal with recently is failing in a multiplayer co-op scenario. More specifically running dungeons or boss encounters in an mmo. Final Fantasy 14 was my first step into actually being social in an mmo and that's because I quickly learned that screwing up never really had huge consequences. I always had the idea of letting my party down hanging over me but after dying mid-dungeon and then getting raised by the healer with nothing more than a funny quip I wasn't as anxious anymore. Even after my first party wipe the reaction from the party was just "ok let's do that again but not die this time." Though I was running dps at those times and since there's always a minimum of two of us there was always some shadow of "well I'm the less important one so maybe that's why they don't mind" in those situations. Then came the first time I ran healer. We go out, tank gets ahead of me, dies because I couldn't heal him, all the mobs he aggro'd slaughter the rest of us, group wipe because I wasn't keeping up with the tank. We respawned and the tank just gave me some friendly advice and we managed to clear the dungeon without any further issues. So what I want to know is, why was everyone so cool about it? Whether I was just a one-off death, part of a wipe, or the cause of a wipe I never faced any negativity from the other players. I think there's two parts to it but I'm not sure they tell the whole story. First off, low risk and high reward. You get your main reward just for clearing the dungeon with the game not caring how well you do in the dungeon. So the only thing you'd be making another player lose out on is time, though I totally can see some players being jerks over that. But then the commendation system kicks in. At the end of the dungeon you're allowed to reward any one player in your party a commendation and earning enough of these grants you some very nice, very exclusive rewards. Nobody in their right mind would hand one out to a player that treats them like dirt so it's a way to incentivize playing nice. Now I do think there's bound to be more to it, but keeping your players friendly towards each other in the face of failure is something crucial if you want players to be able to trust each other.

Keep the cold takes coming, Frost.

The Art of Failure by Jesper Juul is a great book on this topic. For my 2 cents, I'd say that until you fail for the first time there is no way to have any perspective on the game, its rules or the world it resides in. Everyone thinks they want to be One Punch Man, but what they really aspire to be is Mumen Rider. Mumen Rider is where meaning lives.

This was really, really good! The style is what makes it. Another great show in the new era of the channel. Keep up the good work!

I love the fact that Frost fully imbraced the "sexy jazz" voice.

I enjoy when my failure seems fair, ie when I can point to mistakes in my gameplay or choices that lead to my failure, I don't often drop a game in the middle of playing it but something that will make me not want to keep playing is experiencing something that feels unfair; a boss or puzzle that I can't find a reasonable way of winning even after I have taken a break or tried to find other strategies. I think its a balancing act making something difficult but not unfair

This series has been saying what's been on my mind for years that I couldn't quite articulate very well into words to express them. I love it.

I don't come to escapist for much, mostly Zero Punctuation, but this, this is something special. I'm really enjoying Cold Take.

i really am enjoying this slower more methodical approach to talking of various gaming topics and the noir elements only make it so much smoother of an experience. Really cant wait for more of these to come out

Wow this is amazing..! The noir gimmick is excellently executed and the content is supreme. Well done! I'm definitely adding Cold Take to my rotation of Escapist content to look out for!

So excited to see you on here Frost. Looking forward to more

How apropos that Careless Whisper played at the beginning of the video, cuz it plays in my head every time Frost speaks

Okay the points raised about games and challenge, and all that is great, and I do agree with a lot of the points raised. I think Challenge and Failure needs to be a a part of game design, to test the player on something if they don't know it, and then later challenge them on it to ensure they know it. But good god this voiceover. Absolutely marvelous. I could listen to this guy talk about the intricacies of making yarn and it would be a good time. I'm sure its effort to put on that voice, and I can sympathize with that but it is so worth it. Just, wonderful to listen to. More of this please, its so good.

Love the series Idk how I missed it when it was first uploaded. Please continue this awesome series

"failure in... game design" [spy on screen] absolutely murdered me

I'm falling deeply in love with this series

the last line was just the perfect way to end the video. I will watch this video series's career with great interest

the thing about dark souls difficulty that makes it so fun and rewarding that people dont get a lot of the time is that its not just about the excitement of beating a boss that seemed impossible, its about fighting that seemingly impossible boss and at some point realizing "oh, i CAN do this." THAT'S what makes it so fun. if you just throw a hard thing that actually is unfair at the player they wont be happy at the end. they'll just be glad they don't have to do that anymore.

That ending line was gold. This was relaxing and informative with a dash of humor. Great stuff 👍

The end song was Fragrance of Dark Coffee for those wondering.

I'm really liking this new series. Also loved the CP77-noir look.

these cold takes are so well written and narrated. pls do more :)

I was unsure because the title for that first episode seemed like the most pretentious thing I could imagine but I was totally wrong, love it so far. Feels like a lot of game chat tends to gloss over the surface and give you context "whats here" but youre able to actually dig deeper into "what does this being here mean" in a way thats genuinely really satsifying to listen to and learn from. Looking forward to more!

One of, if not _the_ biggest moment of catharsis I had from a game was Journey. You know the bit. And in that game you literally can't fail; there is no failure mechanic (other than not progressing, of course)...

This is exactly the way they talked in the training videos at KFC when I was a teenager

I went on this expecting that analyst guy who does the Sidebar bits. But then my ears were met by the smooth, dulcet tones of Sebastian Ruiz. Gah DAYUM this guy's voice is butter to my ears.

Ludonarrative Dissonance I swear that is the red headed stepchild of video game commentary.

Turnabout Jazz Godot's theme is *perfect* for this! :D

I feel like this is one of those elements in games design that is so so obvious when highlighted and yet so easy to miss when you're not looking to find (or implement) it.

Finally! Someone other than Yahtzee I actually want to listen to! Might throw money at you guys soon! Keep it up!

This was a great start to a new series. Informative and entertaining in equal measure. I look forward to more of these little bits

I like this new show! The delivery is pretty relaxing and soothing and the writing is insightful enough to hold my attention! Will definitely be coming back for more

Man... I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. It's quite conversational

Man oh man this is some of the most premium VO and writing. Thank you!

Me: Imagine a 1940s noire detective with a voice like a whiskey flavored cigar. Sebastion: I got you fam.

Failure can be fun. Ever played the crash events in the Burnout series? Although you want to get that high score, falling short just means you get to create a bit more mayhem at that location before more action-packed racing or another chance to turn your vehicle into a projectile.

Come for the voice, stay for the writing

This video reminds me a bit of the feeling I get when I'm barely scraping by in a game. Just an inch above failure, but I also have my hand on the edge of success. Nothing feels better than winning just barely, and on the other side, it feels so horrible to lose right as the ultimate clutch was tangible.

Loooooooovveeee this format, keep it up!!!! Great new addition to the escapist and totally fits in with the vibe.

I like using TF2 as an example of accidental design. Two different modes of movement which feel amazing mastering it, and the feed back from other players makes it even better. Blast jumping, and trimping. Both work using the wonky source engine physics to achieve a similar result. Players arriving from unexpected angles at incredible speeds. That feeling after practicing a trimping spot, and flying into a critical hit which sends the enemy's head flying while the demo man screams "There can only be one!" and the enemy team panics as they find a mad man in their midst. However, you have to fail so much to get to that point. To unlearn holding w, or movement keys. To learn to use the camera to turn. To learn how to properly air strafe. All comes together in one shocking display of skill, with your dude flying through the air in a Bonzi charge. Even if you die, you feel satisfaction in accomplishing a difficult task l, at least part way.

these cold takes warm the cockles of my.... heart

We need more Cold takes

Ah! Wham's "Careless Whisper" plays at the beginning! Good gangster talk! :D

These videos are pure solid gold. Bravo.

Escapist. How the FUCK am I only just now hearing the voice of Sebastian Rulz. Good lord. The cadence. The subject matter! Promote him more!

Brilliant.

2:42 quick aside, that game's a fucking rad time of a collectathon

I'm so glad to see another one of these. My new favourite series!

You make a good point about catharsis in games. Games like Dark Souls and other FROMSOFT titles understand that difficulty should not exist just for its own sake. Rather, difficulty is used as a means for the player to learn, improve, and gain satisfaction therefore by their success. While there are certain times where their games can be unfair, it's actually quite rare in practice (as much as people will complain to the contrary). "Tough, but fair" game design is precisely what I want to see more of, but many game developers seem to simply try to make things artificially difficult instead. Such as by making their hard difficulty levels only difficult by making enemies take a thousand hits to kill or making the player die to a stiff breeze, rather than making them difficult because of enemy move-sets or the environment or so on.

Ludonarrative dissonance was the entire point of Undertale. Telling us not to kill anything, but rewarding us for doing it. And then coming back and saying "Muhaha, killling was evil all along (but not when we kill you)"

this is fantastic

this new series is absolutely fantastic

Once again, beautiful writing. Thanks for delivering an enthralling script.

More from this guy and his buttery smooth voice please. Maybe speaking lessons? Not that it outshines the thought-provoking insight of this new series... 🙂

Honestly at this point I just want to hear a bunch of closing punchlines from Frost just to see what he comes up with. Each one is a nugget of comedy gold.

Does this guy do audiobooks? Christ his voice is like butter

00:27 Man this song from George Michael from 1984 has been used sooo much, I'm surprised he didn't pick "Moonlight In Vermont" by Jo Stafford for his saxophone one. Every time I think of night skies, frozen waters, and cool winter nights, or even summer nights, I always think of Jo Stafford's or any 1950s artists using strings, pianos, and brass instruments that are chill and mostly taking place at night, and "Moonlight In Vermont" just fits this one really, really well. George Michael's one I feel is a bit over the top and supposed to be romantic and sexy, which is not what I feel this show's all about. It's more of "Hey, I'm down at the bar & grill or a diner open 24/7 and always love company coming over for a talk as we eat and drink beverages or small meals to hold our hunger and thirst over for the next day so to speak." Anytime when I see this, I feel like I'm transported back to the 1950s, not really the 1920s, when it comes to these types of situations...I don't know that's just me. Anyway, back to the video. To be honest, I can't tell you how many times I've failed at video games. Whether it's not completing the game on time (Mismanaging the time in the game before your character dies in say, 30 days in Pikmin 1), getting killed by the same individual repeatedly, The difficulty of normal and hard are out of your reach and you try repeatedly, but can't seem to quite know the specifics of what you're doing wrong in the first place, or simply you are lost and just meander, not knowing what you'll end up getting until it's too little too late (being naive and ill-knowledge) that you die in the game and have to start over, or get captured and have no way of going back except loading a checkpoint or a save file before you were lost and meandered in the first place, or most of all, the challenges are hard, you die often, but you keep going despite the many deaths you went through, up until a certain point where you feel satisfied where you are in the game, and never play the game for a good decade or more. That's pretty much me in a nutshell and as a 4/5 year old RPGs and Single-Player games were pretty hard for me to beat in the late 90s, but in 2015 I did take a crack at playing new horror games I never played before, sure got lost in Resident Evil or probably didn't look at the message the game was giving me in the first place, but eventually did beat it with say a walkthrough to understand how it works, but some were pretty difficult and not shown in the walkthrough. Made me realize that those type of games are something that may be difficult, but I do love the atmosphere and the music it gives despite that without them, I pretty much would have been stuck and probably wouldn't bring up the game in a very long time. So seeing you mention it here nowadays as a 27/30+ year old adult with much better experience in games compared to when I was 3/4/5 years old, I've come a long way from just quitting right on the spot, to playing through it up until a certain point that I can't go no further than what my sustainable difficulty curve allows me to go until I end up mentally and emotionally insane. I can't imagine video game players playing more than 10+ hours on a game that leads into frustration and repetition, and so I just choose the ones I know I would like for the most part.

Fantastic work! This might be the best new video game series on the channel since ZP.

I’m so glad we got a frost video like this, missed this

What a great rumination on videogame design.

Again love this episode and series. Keep them coming.

I love this concept that people are talking about with the benefits of failing

I love this. Hope it catches on. Keep it up Escapist

I like the way you jazz Mr Frosty

another banger, these vids have only been getting better and better since this guy joined

In my mind one of the hardest needles to thread is how punishing failure should be and I think it relates a lot to how often you expect someone to fail. Too little danger and there is no fear in of death or real reward in success (mostly). Too much punishment and people are liable to storm out and not come back. Raymen Origins and Crash Bandicoot (the remake) are two good examples of this. They are both very similar games in gameplay but in Rayman the only punishment for death is going back to a checkpoint which there was many of and the the almost instant time it took to reload. Crash on the other hand had a life system which would send you to one of the much more sparse check points and if you ran out of lives would send you to the beginning of the level. You could argue crash stayed closer to its old roots but i'd argue that Raymen realized that the old life system didn't serve a purpose in the game and eliminating it greatly improved the experience. After all you were going to die a lot in both games. I only finished one of them and you can probably guess which. I could write a book about all the terrible design decisions that FF11 made but the one that gave it the shiney star of worst game I've ever played was two fold. First you lost experience when dying and could actually get into negatives. Second the game's complete lack of a tutorial (I had to google how to MOVE). These two keystones along with a completely unintuitive design everywhere else meant the game punished you for just trying to figure out how to play it. If you didn't learn fast enough you could get yourself so far into and exp hole that the game was effectively impossible to progress in. Retrieving your body after you die would on its own send you on a downward spiral if you weren't very careful. They even barred you from just starting a new character for a set amount of time. Seriously the 'tutorial' for the game was hidden in the menus and was literally a text pop up that just said, "this is an online game so ask other players for help".

This reminds me quite strongly of two modern high budget games: Tomb Raider the misnamed reboot, and Uncharted. Tomb Raider spent a lot of effort on making utterly stupid death animations. They were cutscenes taking not just the character but also the player out of the action; things like, if you fall into some water on the wrong side of an invisible wall, you get an animation of the character getting smashed on rocks in an impossible manner. Never mind those weren't relevant or plausible obstacles. It also spent ages training you to dodge unidentifiable debris while going through sliding sections, only to suddenly have one of those sections end with *all* unidentifiable debris, requiring you to instantly know which bit to hit. Hit any other, and you get both an irrelevant death animation cutscene (making sure you didn't have another moment to tell what went wrong) and a restart to waste more time on the boring section with no agency or reward. Oh so much "fun". Uncharted is a fancy adventure romp interrupted by boring shooting galleries ("gameplay"). What it totally fails to communicate is why there would ever be a reason to play the way the game expects you to. You're supposed to hide behind unrealistic cover, popping out from time to time to shoot at the innumerable enemies that aren't supposed to storm you but stay at convenient target range. The problem is, if you don't know that beforehand, you might be tempted to take out enemies as they appear. But that requires coming out to aim, and then the enemies just don't stop coming. Why is hiding a mechanic that not only heals your character magically (which you weren't told) but makes enemies approach slower? Who knows. The game is just totally unprepared for a main character actor who hasn't read the script. I love scenic exploration and puzzling. Some games that scratched that itch better are Ico, Rime, Hollow Knight, The Witness and Submerged.

100% agree, great points. Loosing should be fun, just like in Dwarf Fortress.

One of my new favorites! God that voice

This is the best show on the escapist right now

Escapist for me was all about ZP. Now, it's about ZP and Cold Take. Keep this up!

I could hear you talk about nothing for hours, what a joy it was to watch this video!

Great stuff!

Can Frost please do audiobooks?

"Blizzard polish" used in a non-ironic way ? Never heard of Warcraft 3 reforged I guess... Yes I'm still bitter, why do you ask ? Nevertheless, this new series is really cool (pun totally intended).

I could listen to this dude's voice forever

Cool concept As for difficulty in games, the idea that it brings forth trial and error makes the experience all the more worthwhile because it comes with the design of the whole game that nothing really feels like padding. I think most who like to go back to retro games is because of this, back when games were shorter in length but expected to be replayed by their natural learning curve.

Loving this series!

I could listen to your voice for hours. Does he have a podcast?

You can’t have a fascinating failure without genuine ambition. Failing safe plays makes for a less bad game but paradoxically a far less worthwhile play experience. I would rather spend time on a good game but if I do start one that goes janky fast I will only end up finishing it if it’s fun to watch it fall over.

When it comes to inconsequential decisions, game developers have a great way to resolve this - save points and NG+ all you to live with the consequences or redo things without a forced safety net.

THANK YOU! I've been saying something to this effect bout "Souls" games since the "Dark Souls", and even more now with "Elden Ring." Making games that frustrate the player simply for the catharsis is bad game design. I don't want to beat my head against a wall; I want to explore the environments, fight new and interesting enemies, and find glorious treasures. If you're gonna bottleneck my experience with gameplay or enemies that are deliberately, CRUELLY more difficult than they need to be, then I'm not playing. If I want to be frustrated regularly, I have daily life for that. Beating a boss the first time is ecstatic. Beating the boss after the third or fourth time is a relief. Beating the boss after the tenth time, and you've replaced a keyboard or controller, just feels shitty.

Please don't stop

Finally the escapist has a second reason to keep me subscribed.

I can listen to this guy read a whole phone book

I could listen to this man read menus

Thoroughly enjoyable delivery!